Why Arsenal should unleash Serge Gnabry against Everton

Arsenal’s Serge Gnabry

Arsenal have long had a reputation for producing excellent youth players under Arsene Wenger, and one man who looks set to extend this exceptional history is the 18-year-old German Serge Gnabry.

It is expected that the youngster will feature more regularly towards the end of the season and, next year, some predict him to have a similar to impact to that of Adnan Januzaj at Manchester United this season.

Gnabry has made nine appearances this season, the most recent of which came as a substitute in Arsenal’s 4-1 triumph over Sunderland two matches ago. The Germany youth international has excelled in the limited game time which Wenger has offered him, and there is a convincing argument to be had for his inclusion in the Gunners’ starting line-up against Everton this weekend in the FA Cup quarter-final.

The right-wing is one position which Gnabry could occupy should he start on Saturday; Wenger could prefer his prodigy to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain due to the German’s superior defensive skills. With Leighton Baines’ attacking talent evident for all to see, Wenger will demand defensive discipline from his right-winger – with a 57% tackle completion rate, Gnabry could usurp Oxlade-Chamberlain from the position which he has inherited since his return from injury earlier this season due to the Englishman’s poor completion rate of just 33%.

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Baines’ relentless attacks will impose a huge strain upon the Arsenal left-back, necessitating strong defensive awareness from the Gunners’ right-winger; Gnabry has made 15 defensive actions this season, nearly double the seven which have come from Oxlade-Chamberlain. This, coupled with the superior tackling ability which the statistics make evident, mean that Gnabry should be preferred to his English team-mate in this position as Wenger attempts to nullify Baines’ threat.

Gnabry’s average defensive actions in the Premier League this season

An alternative position which Gnabry may adopt during the weekend’s FA Cup clash is that of the number ten. While Mesut Ozil has ritually been selected in the hole behind Arsenal’s lone striker this season, many have commented that the German has been suffering from burn-out in recent weeks and some, including Lothar Matthaus, have even said that his World Cup place is currently in doubt. Arsenal have a daunting run of games ahead, beginning with the second leg of their Champions League tie with Bayern Munich and immediately continued by the North London derby; consequently, Wenger should choose to continue to rest Ozil as he has done in recent weeks, and Gnabry could begin in his place on Saturday.

With an 85% pass completion rate, Gnabry is assured on the ball and a dexterous passer; though Ozil completes an average of 88%, his compatriot is not yards behind in terms of pass accuracy, and the difference should not be hugely missed this weekend. Moreover, Gnabry has completed exactly half of his take-ons this season and has drawn seven fouls, demonstrating the panic he can instil into an opposition defence. This attacking threat is complemented by the fact that 60% of his shots have found the target; in Ozil’s absence, Wenger could do far worse than to employ Gnabry in his fellow German’s usual position.

Gnabry averages an 85% pass completion rate

Gnabry is an exciting young player who will, in future years, become an integral part of whichever team he features in. The FA Cup offers the ideal opportunity for Wenger to give his youngster a further opportunity to play first-team football and there are two positions in which Gnabry could play. The right-win berth is best suited to the German; his defensive capabilities, in conjunction with the attacking talents outlined above, make it possible for Gnabry to cope with Baines’ surging runs while also providing an attacking threat.